Materials for menu printing are as critical to the cost-effectiveness of the project as any other aspect. Business owners who are contacting graphic designers, marketing specialists or printing retailers should inquire as to the outfit's experience with menu printing. Individuals and companies with a history of successful menu printing jobs are more likely to have valuable insight on the best materials and processes than a printer or designer who is not familiar with the nuances of menu printer. Depending on an establishment's reputation, atmosphere, cuisine and usual patron, different types of materials should be used for the fabrication of a menu and its binding. Different types of ink, paper, laminate and binding will result in products with varying levels of formality, durability and style. Whereas a take-out restaurant regularly printing menus for their customers to take home may benefit from printing on cheap paper with monochrome ink, lively casual dining establishments with a high volume of patrons will benefit from more durable materials and laminates that hold up to the regular handling and abuse they are likely to see.

Different thicknesses of paper and laminates are responsible for the girth of a menu and its ability to withstand frequent use. Restaurants can sometimes skimp on the cost of a laminate by going thin but using thicker stock paper to ensure that the weighty pages to not crumble after an unacceptable number of views. Thicker laminates may enable business owners to use cheaper paper in their menu printing, as the laminate will be responsible for protecting said paper against moisture and folding to a high degree. Children's menus are usually okay to be printed in paper with activities and the like, particularly in restaurants where the children are encouraged to order for themselves and given writing implements at the door. Since the children's menu will be disposable, using a lesser quality ink but a wide spectrum of colors can cut costs while enhancing the appearance of such a unit.

Inks come in a variety of qualities and budgets, with the most elite options being appropriate for formal restaurants or fine dining at special engagements. Using a high-quality black ink on premium paper is a common tactic for restaurants with pricy cuisine that need to match the atmosphere with their menu printing. Failing to put the same attention to detail in a formal establishment for the menu printing as was taken to the entrees as atmosphere can detract from the dining experience altogether. Experts in the menu printing industry use their experiences and knowledge of the restaurant industry to pair menu printing formats and materials with the establishment represented by their clientele.